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[Welshies]

Was her first litter purebred?

No. We were not ready for a litter at the time but did our best. We had her in a 20x20 dog kennel, tied up, with a golden purebred labrador stud. Beautiful dog. But, she decided she didn't want him and repeatedly escaped, even slithering out of her hunting harness to go frolick with the locals.
Breeding dogs is hard. Managing a dam in heat is even harder. Especially if they're completely outside 24/7- not like we could just lock her up in our house!
This litter was better planned and managed. After we saw her mounted by the mastiff, we confined her so we wouldn't have the local's unneutered males (grrrr) following her around.

 

[casportpony]

No. We were not ready for a litter at the time but did our best. We had her in a 20x20 dog kennel, tied up, with a golden purebred labrador stud. Beautiful dog. But, she decided she didn't want him and repeatedly escaped, even slithering out of her hunting harness to go frolick with the locals.
Breeding dogs is hard. Managing a dam in heat is even harder. Especially if they're completely outside 24/7- not like we could just lock her up in our house!
This litter was better planned and managed. After we saw her mounted by the mastiff, we confined her so we wouldn't have the local's unneutered males (grrrr) following her around.

So your plan is to spay even though you never got your purebreds?

 

[casportpony]

And I do understand how hard it is to keep intact dogs. An old roommate of mine refused to fix his dog, and the neighbor refused to fix theirs, so every time that dog was in heat poor Max did everything he could to get to her, including trying to chew his way out of the house.

 

[Welshies]

So your plan is to spay even though you never got your purebreds?

Yes. As much as we want our purebreds our initial plan was only 2 litters. We are sticking with it because:

• We did not buy her for breeding
• She is a pet, not a puppy machine... albeit a one in a million dog.
• As good as a mother as she is, we wanted her to have puppies to improve her personality and spread her qualities around... not for profit.
• We are also not set up to start a breeding facility.

Before anyone comments negatively (as is bound to happen) there is no local SPCA. Or pound. We live in the Rockies so there are very few unwanted dogs here. Good quality dogs are few and far between though, so they are in high demand. We knew her puppies would be given good farm homes.

 

[Welshies]

And I do understand how hard it is to keep intact dogs. An old roommate of mine refused to fix his dog, and the neighbor refused to fix theirs, so every time that dog was in heat poor Max did everything he could to get to her, including trying to chew his way out of the house.

Yeah... I think, either have a set plan to breed then fix your dog... or just fix your dog! So many people don't do it "just because".

 

[casportpony]

I'm sorry, but as someone who has lost two wonderful dogs, purebred, without having the chance to breed them, I take exception at that. Dogs are family to most, and wanting to keep their lines going is natural! Also, I'm planning on getting Maremma's, a specialty LGD bred for two thousand years to protect Livestock. I'm saving penny's to try to afford a female and male from good lines, not just for myself, but so that the many people around me, who are in a similar situation and are desperate to get protection for their chickens/Livestock, but can't afford the high (but worth it) price of Maremma's, will be able to get them from me for a small price or trade! Or, if they really can't afford it and can take care of them, then perhaps free. I'll rescue any dog, any day! I've rescued SIX and 4 cats since I've been married and in a stable home. I understand people wanting animals rescued, but it's the owners choice, and many have food reasons!

I hope that you will be responsible if/when you get your breeding stock.

 

[Welshies]

I'm sorry, but as someone who has lost two wonderful dogs, purebred, without having the chance to breed them, I take exception at that. Dogs are family to most, and wanting to keep their lines going is natural! Also, I'm planning on getting Maremma's, a specialty LGD bred for two thousand years to protect Livestock. I'm saving penny's to try to afford a female and male from good lines, not just for myself, but so that the many people around me, who are in a similar situation and are desperate to get protection for their chickens/Livestock, but can't afford the high (but worth it) price of Maremma's, will be able to get them from me for a small price or trade! Or, if they really can't afford it and can take care of them, then perhaps free. I'll rescue any dog, any day! I've rescued SIX and 4 cats since I've been married and in a stable home. I understand people wanting animals rescued, but it's the owners choice, and many have food reasons!

I understand wanting pups from your parents, I really do...
But it can actually be bad for a mom to be kept with a pup. If you change your mind it is super stressful to her.
We held one pup for an extra 2 weeks last litter. When it left, my dog didn't act like herself at all for 2 weeks... saddest thing ever.
Get quality stock and don't breed just to have a bunch of dogs.
Breed because you want it to be a lifestyle.

 

[Blooie]

And truth be told, if you're doing it right it's a break- even proposition at best.

 

[Welshies]

And truth be told, if you're doing it right it's a break- even proposition at best.

Agreed.
@ShellyLynnW
You want your stock to be regularly wormed, fed the best quality feed, vaccinated, and puppies to be vaccinated. Many breeders also use a vet during birth as part of their business/system.
Even with two litters... the first one we had eight puppies. Each sold for about $300 on average. Everybody had to come at least twice to meet and pick their puppy. They were asked questions and so were we. They had to be suitable owners. You can not just let puppies go.
Vaccinations were $50 each. That's $400. Feeding costs double or tripe (we spend about $40/mnth when River is not pregnant. That turned into $150).
That is a total of $700. Add on the deworming, about $800. Add on the ultrasound/x-ray, another $150.
Let's say the cost was $1000.
We made $2100 from those puppies. But....
We only made about $1100. And that was a planned (ish) backyard breeding, not a professional one, not including stud fees (average $200-$500).

 

[ShrekDawg]

And truth be told, if you're doing it right it's a break- even proposition at best.

Very true! So many people don't believe that but it's true